In a release Friday, National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis announced a policy memorandum prohibiting “launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service.”

“... we have serious concerns about the negative impact that flying unmanned aircraft is having in parks, so we are prohibiting their use until we can determine the most appropriate policy that will protect park resources and provide all visitors with a rich experience,” Jarvis said.

Several national parks have already banned the craft, but this move comes after a number of high-profile incidents, and the Park Services noted instances of a drone crashing at the Grand Canyon and of a drone allegedly disturbing a herd of bighorn sheep at Zion National Park.

The service will create long-term rules regulating unmanned aircraft in parks — existing permits have been suspended for the craft. Still, it says the park service may itself continue to use drones — in search and rescue, fire operations or scientific study, when approved.

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